2013 European Rowing Championships set for finals

There are 17 championship finals in total, an increase of three on previous years. Added to the programme are the lightweight men's and women's single sculls and the lightweight men's pair. These have been added to the current programme consisting of the 14 Olympic events.

Of the 34 European nations that entered the regatta, 26 have made it through to the finals. Both Italy and Germany sent a complete team of 53 athletes covering all of the events available and both countries have made it through to 13 finals. Looking in gold medal form for Germany is men's single sculler Marcel Hacker. Hacker will face Olympic silver medallist Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic. The Germans have been strong in the women's pair with Marlene Sinnig and Kerstin Hartmann looking to be the crew to beat.

For the Italians their lightweight women's double sculls duo of Laura Milani and Elisabetta Sancassani will aim to defend their 2012 European Championship title. Racing so far indicates that Milani and Sancassani are well placed to achieve this goal. Italy also look to be placed well in the lightweight men's double sculls. The crew of Andrea Micheletti and Pietro Ruta will be up against the on-form French duo of Jeremie Azou and Stany Delayre.

Lithuania arrived to these European Rowing Championships with three crews and all three made it to the finals racing in the men's and women's double sculls and the men's single sculls. Of these crews Donata Vistartaite and Milda Valciukaite in the women's double have the best medal prospect after winning their heat on Friday in the fastest qualifying time.

Switzerland's small squad has made four finals  and is looking well placed to medal with their London Olympic lightweight men's four split into the lightweight men's pair and lightweight men's double sculls for this regatta. The double of Simon Schuerch and Mario Gyr impressed in yesterday's repechage by setting a new European Rowing Championships Best Time. The Swiss are also looking strong in the men's quadruple sculls. But the men's quad will be extremely competitive with results from the semifinals showing that margins between the six finalists will be tight.

For the first time at a European Rowing Championships, Israel has made a final. Men's single sculler Dani Fridman will race in this Blue Riband event at 14:03 CET.